The four-day conference focused on a Global Network of Navies approach to enhancing collaborative efforts to achieve maritime security in the maritime domain around Africa.

Maritime forces from Gulf of Guinea nations, Europe, South America, the United States and several regional and international organizations began the multinational maritime exercise, Exercise Obangame/Saharan Express 2016, March 17.

When pirates hijacked the MT MAXIMUS in the Gulf of Guinea in mid-February, collaboration between four West African nations, with assistance from the U.S. and France, allowed the African navies to track, interdict the vessel, free 18 hostages and apprehend the pirates.

Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, Nigeria chief of defence staff, listens as Gen. David Rodriguez, commander, U.S. Africa Command delivers opening remarks for a two-day meeting with senior AFRICOM commanders and leaders. The purpose of the visit was to reinforce the importance of a strong US-Nigeria security cooperation relationship, with topics focused on ways to counter terrorism, joint operations, logistics and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, Feb. 9, 2016, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Brenda Law, U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs/RELEASED)

Gift exchange: Gen. David Rodriguez, commander, U.S. Africa Command (left), presents a gift of appreciation to Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, Nigeria chief of defence staff. AFRICOM hosted a two-day meeting that brought together AFRICOM component commanders and several senior members of the Nigerian military. The purpose of the visit was to reinforce the importance of a strong US-Nigeria security cooperation relationship, with topics focused on ways to counter terrorism, joint operations, logistics and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, Feb. 10, 2016, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Brenda Law, U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs/RELEASED)

Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, Nigeria CDS, met with AFRICOM senior leaders to discuss strategies for security cooperation.

Gen. David Rodriguez, commander, U.S. Africa Command (5th from left) and Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, Nigeria chief of defence staff (6th from right) pose with select senior staff from AFRICOM and the Nigerian military. The Nigerians were invited to participate in a two-day meeting with senior AFRICOM commanders and leaders. The purpose of the visit was to reinforce the importance of a strong US-Nigeria security cooperation relationship, with topics focused on ways to counter terrorism, joint operations, logistics and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, Feb. 9, 2016, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Brenda Law, U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs/RELEASED)

Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, Nigeria CDS, is greeted by Gen. David Rodriguez, commander, U.S. Africa Command as he arrives for a two-day meeting with senior AFRICOM commanders and leaders. The purpose of the visit was to reinforce the importance of a strong US-Nigeria security cooperation relationship. Gen. Olonisakin and several of his most senior officers engaged in topics on counter terrorism, joint operations, logistics, and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, Feb. 9, 2016, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Brenda Law, U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs/RELEASED)

Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin (right) and the Commander, U.S. Africa Command, Gen. David Rodriguez, pose for a photo. AFRICOM hosted a two-day meeting that brought together the component commanders and several senior members of the Nigerian military. The purpose of the visit was to reinforce the importance of a strong US-Nigeria security cooperation relationship, with topics focused on ways to counter terrorism, joint operations, logistics and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, Feb. 9, 2016, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Brenda Law, U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs/RELEASED)

Gift exchange: Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, Nigeria chief of defence staff (right) presents a gift of appreciation to Gen. David Rodriguez, commander, U.S. Africa Command. AFRICOM hosted a two-day meeting that brought together AFRICOM component commanders and several senior members of the Nigerian military. The purpose of the visit was to reinforce the importance of a strong US-Nigeria security cooperation relationship, with topics focused on ways to counter terrorism, joint operations, logistics and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, Feb. 10, 2016, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Brenda Law, U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs/RELEASED)

Gen. David Rodriguez, commander, U.S. Africa Command delivers opening remarks for a two-day meeting with Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, Nigeria CDS, and several of his most senior officers. The purpose of the visit was to reinforce the importance of a strong US-Nigeria security cooperation relationship, with topics focused on ways to counter terrorism, joint operations, logistics and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, Feb. 9, 2016, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Brenda Law, U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs/RELEASED)

Gen. David Rodriguez, commander, U.S. Africa Command delivers opening remarks for a two-day meeting with Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, Nigeria CDS, and several of his most senior officers. The purpose of the visit was to reinforce the importance of a strong US-Nigeria security cooperation relationship, with topics focused on ways to counter terrorism, joint operations, logistics and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, Feb. 9, 2016, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Brenda Law, U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs/RELEASED)

Air Commodore Aminu Yakubu, Nigeria defence attaché is greeted by Maj. Gen. Bryan Watson, AFRICOM director of operations. The two were participants in a two-day meeting with Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, Nigeria CDS, and several of his most senior officers and AFRICOM staff and component commanders. The purpose of the visit was to reinforce the importance of a strong US-Nigeria security cooperation relationship with topics focused on ways to counter terrorism, joint operations, logistics and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, Feb. 9, 2016, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Brenda Law, U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs/RELEASED)

Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) visits AFRICOM: Gen. David Rodriguez, commander, U.S. Africa Command welcomes Maj. Gen. Darryl Williams, Commander, U.S. Army Africa to a two-day meeting with Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, Nigeria CDS, and several of his most senior officers. The purpose of the visit was to reinforce the importance of a strong US-Nigeria security cooperation relationship, with topics focused on ways to counter terrorism, joint operations, logistics and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, Feb. 9, 2016, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Brenda Law, U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs/RELEASED)

Gen. David Rodriguez, commander, U.S. Africa Command (left) meets with Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin Nigeria chief of defence staff (second from left) and several of his senior military leaders during an office call. AFRICOM hosted a two-day meeting that brought together the component commanders and several senior members of the Nigerian military. The purpose of the visit was to reinforce the importance of a strong US-Nigeria security cooperation relationship, with topics focused on ways to counter terrorism, joint operations, logistics and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, Feb. 10, 2016, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Brenda Law, U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs/RELEASED)

Gen. David Rodriguez, commander, U.S. Africa Command greets senior Nigerian officers as they arrive for a two-day meeting with senior AFRICOM commanders and leaders. The purpose of the visit was to reinforce the importance of a strong US-Nigeria security cooperation relationship, with topics focused on ways to counter terrorism, joint operations, logistics and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, Feb. 9, 2016, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Brenda Law, U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs/RELEASED)

U.S. Marines and sailors and U.K. Royal Marine Commandos recently completed partner-nation training in multiple countries in Africa during Africa Partnership Station.

Military representatives from the U.S. and partner nations in the Gulf of Guinea finalized the course's content during a workshop in Cameroon.